A traditional Japanese cuisine that captures the essence of washoku.
Kaiseki cuisine is a traditional Japanese meal eaten at a tea gathering before drinking koicha (thick matcha with a rich, velvety texture).
It’s closely tied to the Japanese tea ceremony, with hospitality from the host to guests as a core principle.
Kaiseki was once a simple set menu, but today many restaurants add their own twists, including fried dishes and desserts, making the style more diverse.
The basic structure of kaiseki is ichiju-sansai (one soup and three dishes: a main dish plus two sides).
Dishes are served one by one, timed so each arrives at its best moment.
Many dishes highlight the seasons, making it a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.
It also reflects wabi-sabi, a distinctly Japanese sense of beauty and values.
A traditional Japanese cuisine that captures the essence of washoku
The foundational structure of kaiseki: ichiju-sansai
Kaiseki cuisine spread among the public through the tea ceremony
